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Personalize a boy’s room by sewing special curtains in his favorite colors. Simple lines look great -- no ruffles or frills for the guys. Let him help choose novelty print cotton yard goods that reflect his favorite theme or heavier fabric, such as corduroy or denim, to help block light and drafts. You can also simply buy solid color or printed flat sheets that coordinate with his bedding. Curtain panels are easy to make from fabric yardage. Sewing a channel for a curtain rod in a purchased flat sheet is even easier. Add finishing touches by adjusting the width and hem, and the curtains are ready to hang.

Easy Bedding Coordinates

1

Measure the window. Purchase a flat sheet the appropriate size that matches the color or theme of the room. Buy one long enough to cover the window length and about double the width measurement. Launder the sheet before sewing to preshrink it and to remove sizing chemicals.

2

Notice that the wider, top hem of the sheet is open on each side edge. If it is stitched closed, snip the thread and open the edges of the hem. Use this top hem to make a rod pocket casing by machine-sewing a straight-stitch seam 1 1/2 inches from the hem-stitched edge. The hem extending above the casing forms gathers when you insert the rod.

3

Trim the curtain to the correct length, if necessary, and double-fold a hem in the bottom. Machine-stitch it in place. Insert a curtain rod through the casing, and hang the curtains.

Fabric Panel Curtains

1

Measure the window. Cut fabric panels about 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the window. If the fabric has a directional grain or print, mark the top edges of the panels with a pin or a small piece of masking tape on the back. Choose bold fabric patterns without age-themed prints, and they will grow with the room’s occupants. You can also sew together coordinating fabrics to create multi-patterned fabric panels.

2

Hem the side edges of each panel with a double-rolled hem by folding under 1 inch and then folding it under 1 inch again. Sew the edge hems in place using a regular straight stitch on your sewing machine.

3

Hem the top and bottom edges using the double-roll method with 1 1/2-inch folds. Fasten curtain clip-rings to the top edge of each panel, and slide the rings onto a rod.

Things You Will Need

Flat sheet or fabric yardage, prewashed

Measuring tape

Sewing machine

Thread

Scissors

Sewing pins, optional

Masking tape, optional

Curtain rod

Curtain clip-rings, optional

Tips

Gather two flat sheets for extra fullness on a wide window, with each sheet becoming one curtain panel that can be swept to the side and anchored with a tie-back.

About the Author

Fern Fischer's print and online work has appeared in publications such as Midwest Gardening, Dolls, Workbasket, Quilts for Today and Cooking Fresh. With a broader focus on organic gardening, health, rural lifestyle, home and family articles, she specializes in topics involving antique and modern quilting, sewing and needlework techniques.